Wilton Police Clarify Role Under Connecticut Trust Act Amid ICE Questions

WILTON, CT — The Wilton Police Department said Tuesday that it remains bound by Connecticut law in how it interacts with federal immigration authorities, emphasizing that local officers do not carry out immigration enforcement and are limited in when they may respond to federal requests.

In a statement addressing recent questions about Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in the region, police officials pointed to the Connecticut Trust Act, first enacted in 2013 and updated in 2019 and 2025, which restricts how state and local law enforcement agencies may cooperate with federal immigration authorities.

Under the law, ICE detainers are requests rather than warrants and do not, on their own, create a legal obligation for local police to hold or take someone into custody, the department said.

Wilton officers may only detain or arrest someone based on an immigration detainer if specific legal conditions are met, including if the person has been convicted of a Class A or B felony, if the detainer is accompanied by a warrant signed by a judicial officer, or if the individual is identified as a possible match in the federal Terrorist Screening Database.

Police said officers are also prohibited from allowing immigration officials to interview someone in local custody unless those same legal conditions apply. Administrative warrants that are not signed by a judge do not meet the standard under state law.

The department noted that Connecticut law prohibits state and local police from performing the duties of federal immigration authorities. However, the Trust Act does not prevent federal agencies from enforcing federal immigration law independently within the state.

Wilton police officials said the department does not inquire about immigration status when residents seek assistance, report crimes or otherwise interact with officers. The department said its focus remains on enforcing criminal laws, motor vehicle laws and town ordinances while maintaining public safety and community trust.

The statement was endorsed by First Selectman Toni Boucher and the Wilton Police Commission, the department said.